A restaurant interior featuring red and black pipes, complemented by red stools arranged around tables.

About the Client: Urban Bird

Urban Bird is a Nashville-style hot chicken concept bringing fiery flavors and bold personality to Houston. Known for its halal-certified chicken, crispy sides, and signature spice levels, Urban Bird pairs its menu with interiors that are just as memorable as the food.

Urban Bird thrives on creating spaces that feel fun, social, and photo-worthy, encouraging customers to stay, share, and come back for more.

About the Contractor: 

Goldbeam Construction

Goldbeam Construction is a Texas-based general contractor that specializes in commercial tenant buildouts. We handle everything from pre-construction and permitting to final inspections, giving clients a complete solution that blends function with brand identity.

Our experience in restaurants, retail, and hospitality means we know how important speed, durability, and code compliance are. Every space we deliver is built to work seamlessly for staff while creating an experience customers enjoy.

The Challenge

Urban Bird needed a contractor who could:

  • Convert a raw retail shell into a high-volume restaurant environment.
  • Manage Houston’s permitting process for food service operations, including health department requirements.
  • Install technical kitchen systems such as ventilation, grease interceptors, plumbing, and fire suppression.
  • Incorporate Urban Bird’s bold branding features like red exposed ductwork, murals, and signature lighting.
  • Deliver the space on a tight schedule to support the brand’s growth strategy.

Our Approach

Pre-Construction & Permitting

  • Conducted site evaluations and coordinated landlord requirements.
  • Submitted plans to the City of Houston’s Permitting Center, including:
    • Health Department approvals for kitchen layout and sanitation zones.
    • Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) permits for HVAC, hood systems, and grease interceptor installation.
    • Building permits for structural modifications, signage, and partitions.
  • Coordinated directly with inspectors to ensure compliance with Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS/ADA) and local fire codes.

Demolition & Shell Prep

  • Cleared the existing interior down to the retail shell.
  • Performed slab trenching for plumbing rough-ins, including floor sinks and drains.
  • Prepared the space to receive the new kitchen and dining infrastructure.

MEP Infrastructure

  • Installed commercial-grade HVAC systems with custom red exposed ductwork to double as a design feature.
  • Built kitchen plumbing systems, including three-compartment sinks, prep sinks, floor drains, and grease interceptors.
  • Upgraded electrical service with new panels, dedicated circuits for fryers, refrigeration, and lighting.
  • Designed and installed a Type I hood system with fire suppression, tested and approved by the fire marshal.

Interior Buildout

  • Constructed framing and partitions to create a balance of booth seating, bar seating, and communal tables.
  • Installed polished concrete flooring for durability and easy cleaning.
  • Applied branded finishes such as bold wall graphics, specialty light fixtures, and the signature rooster centerpiece.
  • Built the front-of-house service counter with durable millwork and integrated POS stations for smooth ordering.

Final Inspections & Turnover

  • Coordinated all final inspections:
    • Building inspection for occupancy.
    • Health inspection for food prep and storage compliance.
    • Fire marshal inspection for hood suppression, egress, and emergency lighting.
  • Delivered a certificate of occupancy to Urban Bird, enabling the team to open to the public.

The Result

The completed Urban Bird location captures the brand’s bold energy:

  • Distinctive red ductwork, modern lighting, and a striking rooster centerpiece.
  • A kitchen layout that supports speed, volume, and full code compliance.
  • A social, photo-ready dining environment that enhances the customer experience.
  • Delivered on time and within budget, supporting Urban Bird’s continued expansion across Houston.

Impact for
Urban Bird

  • Strengthened brand presence with a visually consistent and memorable interior.
  • A space designed to handle high customer throughput while staying operationally efficient.
  • A successful buildout that serves as a model for future Urban Bird locations.

Why Goldbeam Construction

This project demonstrates Goldbeam Construction’s ability to:

  • Manage complex restaurant permitting in Houston.
  • Deliver technical systems such as HVAC, hoods, and fire suppression.
  • Build spaces that reflect brand identity while meeting operational demands.
  • Act as a reliable partner for multi-unit operators looking to scale quickly.

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